2112 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

George Washington University transforms an underutilized downtown site with a new 250,000-square-foot speculative trophy office building, including 10,000 square feet of retail and three levels of below-grade parking.  Early in design, Gensler convened a roundtable of brokers and developers to help the university evaluate options, and then navigated complex lot-reconfiguration and planning and urban design approval processes, paving the way for Skanska’s winning bid to develop the approved design. To maximize the building’s visibility, despite its mid-block location, Gensler designed a facade articulated with glass fins which reach toward the street, capturing attention on Pennsylvania Avenue. These fins, carved with subtly varied profiles, create an iconic wave expression across the facade.  This motif is echoed in the two-story lobby, light-filled fitness center, and lush rooftop terrace, unifying the design.